Masks Optional at the Coop Starting 3/20

Dear Coop Members,

Starting Monday, March 20, masks will be OPTIONAL for all members, working or shopping, and all paid staff. This policy covers all areas and shifts at the Coop. We encourage you to make the decision about mask-wearing that best suits your needs or preferences. We ask that you respect other Coop members’ personal choices regarding masks and that you bring your own mask, if you opt to wear one. Masks will be available in the Membership Office if needed.

The results of the February survey showed that 68% of members favored making masks optional, and 32% favored continuing to require masks for all working and shopping members. Participation in the survey was high, with 4749 members completing the survey. Thank you to all members who took the time to express their opinion through the survey, speaking at the GM, or writing the General Coordinators. We took all of your input into consideration and weighed a variety of options before making this decision.

At the beginning of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, the GCs used our authority as Chief Administrative Officers to make emergency decisions about health and safety policies that protected the staff and members. One of those decisions was to require masks for members while shopping or working a shift. Our decision to end the mask requirement recognizes that the public health emergency landscape has changed significantly, and we should no longer exercise our authority to make emergency decisions regarding Covid.

Members who would like a different mask policy are welcome to submit a GM agenda item to the Agenda Committee. The next meeting of the Agenda Committee is Tuesday, April 4. Forms must be submitted by 7:30 p.m. on April 4 to the email address on the form.

We strongly urge members to continue to follow CDC guidance if they are Covid-positive or have close contact with a Covid-positive person. Please do not come to work or shop if you are Covid-positive or experiencing Covid symptoms. Following CDC guidance is vital for the health and well-being of Coop members and staff. Members have shown remarkable concern for the community during the pandemic years, and we hope that you continue to do so as the Coop proceeds to fully recover from the past three years.

We want to remind members who cannot work due to a health issue to complete the form for a health leave that is available inside your member services account. If you are on health leave or assigned to the elder committee AND need a non-member to shop for you, the Coop has an authorized shopper program. More information and an application form are available in member services, or you can contact the Membership Office for assistance.

In cooperation,

The General Coordinators